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Staring at Emilia's stubborn expression, Noelle knew that arguing with her would be useless, and trying to convince her would also just be a waste of energy.
In the end, she could only sigh. "Even if I tell you, there are some things that even you cannot do. After all… the White Deer may have a lot of influence, but it's not the number one in the world. Even if it was, there are certain restrictions that everyone faces when doing things, and you cannot be so willful all the time."
From Noelle 'scolding', Emilia already had a pretty good idea who her opponent was, Evelyn gave her a smug look. "Let me guess, it must be the 'Dionysus' corporation from the country of Carmen, right?"
Noelle could only stare at her in silence. "…How did you know?"
Emilia flicked her hair with a smile. "Since you seemed worried, I assumed it had to be them. As the strongest opponent I'm going to eventually crush under my heel, obviously I know enough about them."
Seeing Noelle's disbelieving expression, the younger girl couldn't help but pout. "What's with that look?"
The gray-haired girl shook her head in exasperation. "Little boss, even if you can guess randomly, don't just into doing something reckless without knowing what we—"
Emilia silenced her by pressing a finger against her lips as she smiled. "I know. I also know that the biggest lackeys and henchmen of Dionysus are the so-called 'Clan of Nightingale'. After all… didn't you give me that report before?"
Recalling the time when Emilia had asked her to investigate the background of the bodyguard hired by Mr. Black for his son, Noelle could only sigh in regret. Even though he was only a wayward descendant of the clan, he still ended up causing her trouble!
Thinking about the fact that the man was currently in their custody, Noelle soon made up her mind to teach him a lesson.
Emilia seemed unaware of her thoughts as she smiled. "Anyway, you don't have to worry so much. So what if they're currently stronger than us? Eventually, I will pull ahead of them, and when I do… I'll get your revenge."
Although Noelle knew that these were just the wishful thoughts of a little girl, and the harsh reality would sooner or later shatter these dreams, she still couldn't help but feel a little touched in her heart.
Of course, Noelle would never let it show on her face. "Delusional."
Emilia could only pout as she threw herself back into the older girl's embrace, snuggling against her nape with a whine. "Noelle is always so mean to me, even though I'm supposed to be your boss! Is it because I'm so soft?"
Her words involuntarily made Noelle focus on the feeling under her palms as she squeezed Emilia's slim waist, and she couldn't help but gulp.
As heat pooled on both her face and somewhere else, Noelle could only hurriedly try to distract herself before her thoughts wandered to places they really shouldn't. "A-Anyway, l-let me finish telling you what happened!"
Emilia didn't interrupt her as she continued her story from the point where Abey was taken back to the clan.
Narcissa's frequent visits to her old servant continued as usual. She sometimes confided her feelings to Abey as a means to vent, and once, feeling emotional, she let her guard down and confided even the matter that she kept hidden the deepest - abandoning her daughter, Noelle.
Abey hated Dolores, the woman who ruined her life, but she couldn't hate the child that the woman had already thrown away.
As for her the unfeeling heart of her old mistress, how could she be surprised at this point?
The only thing she found strangely funny was how the children of the two most powerful people in the clan were thrown away like trash.
Knowing that she would eventually end up dead, the 'insane' woman escaped the clan after stealing some cash, and hid herself after bribing some people to smuggle her into another country.
Abey was not a helpless woman who could only depend on others, and was able to make a living for herself by becoming a seamstress shortly after.
Perhaps it was fate that the country she ended up in was the same one as Narcissa's daughter, Noelle.
When Abey saw the girl on TV with the same little mole under her left eye as that baby, combined with her appearance that was half similar to Narcissa, she knew there was no mistaking it.
The flames of vengeance that had slowly started sputtering out instantly started burning once more. Abey knew that she had no way to avenge herself, but this girl did.
So eventually, sparing no effort, she squatted in front of the white deer's headquarters for a few days before she was able to deliver a letter to Noelle's hands, and everything that might have never been known became known.
When she had started telling the story, her emotions had been quite turbulent, but by the time she finished, Noelle realized that the matter really didn't weigh as heavily on her as it previously had.
Maybe it was because a certain girl was being a little too distracting on her lap, constantly snuggling and patting her back for comfort, as if Noelle was a little baby who hadn't been treasured enough.
Of course, the older girl found it a little ridiculous, but knowing how willful and petulant her little boss was, she could only smile wryly and bear with it.
"So what kind of revenge would you like?"
Noelle almost rolled her eyes at the 'devilish temptation' whispered against her ears.
She knew that straight-up denying the girl would be counterproductive, so Noelle quickly came up with a good idea. "I believe that success is the best form of revenge. So as long as you can one day make the White Deer grow to exceed Dionysus, I'll be happy."
Emilia didn't suspect that Noelle was trying to trick her into giving up the whole revenge thing, and nodded sagely. "Of course. I will show them all how brightly you can shine, so they can only regret not grasping the chance to have you when they could have!"
This time, Noelle really rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I'm neither an idol nor a light bulb, how bright can I even shine?"
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